The red substance found in the Vernon area contained carfentanil (photo courtesy of Interior Health)

By Liam Verster

Drug Alert

Alert issued for carfentanil substance found in Vernon

Apr 21, 2025 | 11:07 AM

Interior Health issued a Drug Alert after identifying a dangerous substance in the Vernon area.

Health officials say the red drug, which was being sold under name Down and could come in the form of powder, pebbles or chunks, was found to contain carfentanil fentanyl, flurofentanyl, and benzodiazepine.

“Carfentanil is 50 to 100X more potent than fentanyl,” Interior Health said.

“This drug contains the equivalent of up to 150 per cent concentration of fentanyl.”

The health authority warned that this substance poses “extreme risk of overdose and fatal overdose,” and, due to the benzodiazapine content, Naloxone may not be able to revive a person who overdoses on the drug.

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Interior Health advised people have their drugs checked, use them at an Overdose Prevention Site, carry Naloxone and know how to use it, and get and use the LifeGuard app.

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